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(No Model.)

J; H. WELGH. DEVICE FOR SECURING SOAP IN WASH ROOMS OR'PUBLIG PLACES.

Patented Dec. 24

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. in proper position for use.

UNITED STATES I PATENT FFIGE. 7

JAMES H. IVELCII, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGI OR OFTIVO-THIRDS TO J. EDIVARD IVELCH, OF SAME PLACE.

DEVICE FOR SECURING SOAP IN WASH-ROOMS OR PUBLIC PLACES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 552,023, dated December24, 1895.

Application filed May 8, 1894:. Renewed September 9, 1895. Serial No.662,014. (No model.)

To a, whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. \VELCH, of IVashington, District ofColumbia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Devices forSecuring Soap in YVash-Rooms and Public Places, of which the followingis a full and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, making part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in devices for securing soap inwash-rooms of hotels and other public places or in bath-rooms to preventthe same from accidentally dropping into the basin or tub and therebywasting or clogging the waste-pipe, and also to keep the same alwaysaccessible to the guests or patrons by preventing its removal byunauthorized persons.

My invention consists, first, in the combination with a holder adaptedto be connected to the wall or other frame convenient to the bowlprovided with an automatically-acting locking mechanism for holding thesoap connected with the holder.

It further consists in so constructing the locking mechanism that thesame shall act automatically, as the soap is consumed, to continue togrip the soap firmly connected with the holder.

It further consists in so constituting the locking mechanism that thesoap when connected therewith shall form a guard to prevent access tothe locking mechanism, whereby when the soap is once connected theentire cake must be consumed before the 1nechanism can be unlocked.

It further consists in certain novel features in the construction andarrangement of parts, all as hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is perspective view ofawashbasin, showing my improved locking device connected to the wallFig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the device, showing acake of soap connected therewith. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of thedevice; Fig. 4, asectional view of amodification; Fig. 5, a plan view ofa modification. of the lockinm bolt. r

The holder may be constructed of any desirable material to combinelightness and strength and of any desired configuration or ornamentaldesign, in. the present instance "consisting of a flat face portion A,against which the soap rests when connected therewith, from whichprojects a hand portion B of such form as to adapt it to be easily heldin the hand. The portion B is provided with a perforation B preferablyextending entirely through the same, hereinafter referred to.

The flat or face portion A is preferably slotted longitudinally, inwhich slot is mounted the plate or frame 0 carrying the lockingbolt. Theplate 0 consists preferably of the flat portion 0, from which dependlegs 0 O, which form the bearings for the sliding bolt D, the spring d,which actuates the bolt, being preferably mounted on the bolt-shaftbetween said legs, as shown. The end of the bolt D, which engages thekey or rod hereinafter .referred to, is made flat and extends from theshaft in angle form, as shown at E, with its lower face to move in closecontact with the lower face of the plate 0, and this portion is providedwith a perforation c, with its side walls inclining from the upper tothe lower edge, and the plate C is provided with a similarly-formedperforation e.

G represents a key, a rod having ahead portion h and a shank portion andsaid shank portion is provided with a series ofcircumferentially-arranged grooves or notches 71?, each inclining inwardin the direction of the point, and which notches are adapted to beengaged by the end D of the bolt or 1- clined face portion of theperforation e afte the key has been-passed through the soap and throughthe perforation e in the plate 0.

The frame 0 is secured to the hand portion by means of screws 75, one ateach end, and the heads of said screws are preferably made in V form andact when the soap is pressed upon the holder and clamped by the key toprevent the soap from being turned or revolved on the key.

The hand portion extends out from one end and is provided with an eye I,to which a chain I is connected and which chain in turn is adapted to beconnected to the wall or other framework where it is desired to placethe soap.

The end of the bolt which engages the key at a point in advance of theperforation e is provided with a perforation f, and the frame 0 isslottedat a point over the perforation, as shown at f to permit theinsertion of a bent wire or other device to hold the bolt out ofengagement with the key to permit said key to be disconnected from theholder after a cake of soap has been consumed and it is desired to put anew cake in place.

The operation of the device is as follows: When it is desired to attacha cake of soap a hole is cut in the soap so that the key will closelyfit the same. The end of the key is then forced through the opening inthe frame and through the opening in the bolt, the notches in the keybeing engaged by the inclined edge of the opening in said bolt. As thesoap is consumed the pressure of the hand in rubbing the soap acts toforce the key downward holding the lower face of the soap in closecontact with the holder, the heads of the screws acting to prevent thesoap from being turned on the key, and the perforation B, extendingthrough the hand port-ion, forms a guideway therefor.

The form of notches in the key and end of the bolt for engaging the samemay be constructed in a different manner, as will readily suggestthemselves to any skilled workman, so long as the key when being pressedinto the holder shall act to force the spring back and permit it to moveforward to take a new hold as the soap is consumed.

In Figs. 4 and 5 amodification in the form of the hand portion, which isshown, is made in semispherical form with a hollow central post orstandard L, which forms the guideway for the key or rod G. The upper endof the post is screw-threaded and the cap-plate C is provided with acentral screw-threaded perforation by which to connect it with the post.In the modification the locking-bolt is provided with an inclinedlocking-edge D and is provided with forwardly-extending arms (1 tostraddle the post or standard L, the bolt being actuated by means of aspring L, connected at one end to the bolt and at the other to the handportion, by which construction it will be seen that all the operatingparts are mounted in the hand portion, and that the device is muchsimplified.

After a cake of soap has. been consumed, by inserting a piece of bentwire through the slot f into the perforation f the bolt may be forcedbackward out of engagement with the key and permit the detachmentthereof from the holder.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device for securing soap, a holder to be adapted to be connectedto a stand or wall, a locking device mounted in the holder,

and means adapted to be passed through the soap and engaged by thelocking device, substantially as described whereby the soap is held fastto the holder as set forth.

2. In a device for securing soap, a holder adapted to be connected to astand or wall, a locking device mounted in the holder, and a key or rodadapted to be passed through the soap and engaged by the locking devicesubstantially as described, whereby the soap is held fast to the holderas set forth.

3. Ina device for securing soap, a holder adapted to be connected to astand or wall, a locking device mounted in the holder, and a key or rodprovided with a series of locking notches or faces adapted to be engagedby the locking device automatically step by step as the soap is consumedsubstantially as set forth.

4. In a device for securing soap, a holder adapted to be connected to astand or wall a locking device mounted in the holder, a key or rodadapted to be passed through the soap and engaged by the holder, andmeans substantially as described adapted to be covered by the soap whenin position forpermitting the locking mechanism to be released fromengagement with the key or rod when the soap is consumed as set forth.

5. In a device for securing soap in wash rooms and like places, a holderadapted to be connected flexibly with a wall or stand, an 9automatically acting bolt mounted therein, having a locking face ortooth at one end, a key or rod provided with a series of grooves ornotches adapted to beengaged by the looking face or tooth of the bolt,substantially as described.

6. In a device for securing soap in wash rooms and like places, a holderadapted to be connected to a wall or stand, a locking bolt mountedtherein, a key or rod adapted to be passed through the soap and engagedby the locking bolt, and locking legs projecting from the face of theholder to engage the soap substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

' 7. In a device for securing soap in wash rooms and like places aholder adapted to be connected with a wall or stand, an automaticallyacting bolt mounted in the holder, provided with an inclined engagingface and a key or rod provided with circumferential grooves or notches,a perforation or opening in the holder for adapting the bolt to bepressed out of engagement with the key or rod substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

I11 testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 3d day of April,A. D. 1894:.

- JAMES H. XVELGH. IVitnesses:

ALEX. MAHoN,

J. M. FOWLER, Jr.

